In 1999 New York City declared 18 March - Marcel Marceau Day
I was introduced to the world famous mime, Marcel Marceau ("Bip"), and his art as a child watching the unprecedented and unsurpassed entertainment show entitled "The Ed Sullivan Show" way back in the 1960's, which included Marcel Marceau doing his "Butterfly" & "David and Goliath" routines.
In the early 1950s Marcel Marceau was virtually unknown in his native France, which had a strong mime tradition at the time.
Laurel & Hardy were on a world tour playing Paris and were tipped off that Marceau was doing an incredible mime routine in an insignificant suburban theatre.
They went to see him a few days later. Instead of performing the second half of their regular show after the interval, Stan introduced Marceau, scolding the audience for ignoring such a talent; then Laurel & Hardy walked offstage and gave the second half of their show to Marceau - The rest is history!
Bio:
Marcel Marceau, born Marcel Mangel, was a legendary mime who survived the Nazi occupation and saved many children in WWII. His father, Charles, a kosher butcher, perished in Auschwitz in 1944.
He was regarded for his peerless style pantomime, moving audiences without uttering a single word, and was known to the World as a "master of silence" - his acting career lasted over 60 years.
Marcel Marceau
22 March 1923 ( 8:00am-UT) - 23 September 2007
Marceau is interred in Père Lachaisse Cemetery in Paris
Marceau is interred in Père Lachaisse Cemetery in Paris
